BJP Requests Goa State Government to Shut Down Offshore Casinos

Legislative assembly by-election in the city of Panaji is scheduled on 19th May. The by-election is to fill the seat lying vacant after the death of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

An anti-casino sentiment has gained momentum ahead of the crucial by-election. After all major political parties including Congress, Goa Suraksha Manch, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Goa Forward Party and Aam Aadmi Party came out with promises to the Panaji electorate to remove offshore casinos from the River Mandovi.

“The party’s demand is that offshore casinos should be shut. If people don’t want onshore casinos, which function from five-star hotels, they too will be closed… We have been assured that the government is thinking about it and that if time comes, we will shut casinos,” Vinay Tendulkar, BJP’s Goa Unit President and Rajya Sabha MP said.

Now, it remains to be seen whether there will be any change in the state government’s policy on casinos in the near future.